Jersey City landlord assures judge his tenants will have hot water by Halloween; they're in North Bergen hotel in the meantime

Without gas in their building for two months, the tenants of 422 St. Paul’s Ave. in Jersey City will have to wait until Halloween to take a hot shower in their apartments. And they’re crossing their fingers that the date isn’t a trick.

Felix Montalvo, the attorney for landlord Giglio Banerjee, told Municipal Court Judge Nesle Rodriguez on Tuesday that new gas water heaters will be installed and running in the six-unit building by Oct. 31.

All gas power in the building was shut off at the building on Aug. 18 when city officials cited Banerjee for a slew of violations.

Montalvo said securing permits from the city is part of the reason the process is taking so long.

Based on an order by the judge, most of the tenants are being put up at the Comfort Inn Suites on Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen until the building is once again deemed habitable.

Banerjee still faces fines for work being performed without required permits, debris blocking the fire escape, improperly installed water heaters, unsafe structure, unsealed basement windows and an unstable fire escape ladder, Jersey City officials said.

Banerjee did not attend the hearing because he was on vacation, Montalvo said. Banerjee’s business partner, Carlos Pereira, was excused from the hearing because he works out of state.

Tony Schiovone, one of the displaced tenants, noted that the rooms at the hotel were not booked until last Sunday, Oct. 16, even though the judge gave the order for tenants to be put up at the hotel on Oct. 13.

Schiovone also complained he will not receive any sort of stipend for food or gas. The hotel does provide eggs, ham, bacon, waffles and juice for breakfast.